I grew up on no sugar (Mom was diabetic) and mostly artificial sweeteners. I can’t stand a regular soda, for instance. They taste bad to me. Sweet N Low was the best! When that got the bad rap, it was terrible. The newer sodas didn’t taste as good with the new sweeteners. I got over it, but a Tab every once in a while, sure hit the spot.

I’m looking forward to trying a soda with stevia, once it’s available. Diet soda. My addiction, unfortunately.

Thanks again for the killer info.

Roland

Regarding your comment about people sometimes thinking that stevia is odd tasting, I think that it takes a little time to adjust to the difference. I mean, let’s face it, stevia is not going to taste exactly like sugar. It’s just not. But once you use it for some time, you don’t really even miss the taste of sugar (speaking from my own experience of course). If you go into your “stevia taste test” thinking, ok this is going to taste exaclty like sugar, then you will be disappointed, but if you go into it with an open mind, and think of it as an alternative that can help you to make healthy changes to your diet, then you might be surprised at how good it is.

Anthony – Man, you really knocked my socks off! You know how to make a girl’s day! Thank you for your comment, Healthy living is not a destination, it is truly a journey, so if I can make that journey a little easier, or a little more clearly defined for my readers, then my mission has been accomplished.

Sheila

You’ve written yet another balanced look at a complex health concern, letting readers form their own opinion on the facts. You certainly must know that you are doing important work by presenting life changing articles tempered with your own journey and experiences. The community here continues to grow, no doubt, because of your passion for fitness, health, and nutrition. Passion makes all the difference!

Best,

Anthony

Also, what you said about stevia is true. It’s inconsistent, so if you try on brand and don’t like it, try another. I have TJ’s 100% Stevia. It’s a spice bottle size container that holds 1000 (that’s right, 1000!) servings. It’s über sweet, so you use a super small scoop (included). Weird. But, it’s so little powder that you really have to mix it in your liquid FIRST, then add it to whatever you’re eating. If you’re having oatmeal, stir it into the milk, then pour the milk on. Otherwise, you get dramatic pockets of sweetness. I think this is one reason why people find stevia “odd tasting.”

BTW, I noticed Truvia in the store, last night. I might by some after 843 more servings of what I got now.

Sheila